Mouthpiece for musical instruments.



A. KUNZE. 4 MOUTHPIEUE FOB MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED IAB. 13, 1911.

Patented Dec. 19, 1911.

Pf.. V, .53.2. I

GIXAIDIIIA Mmm W.. 'MIN l.

AUGUST KUNZE, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

MOUTHPIECE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 19, 1911.

Application filed March 13, i911. Serial No. 614,248.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, AUGUST KUNzn, a citizen of the United States, and residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mouthpieces for Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

The invention consists in what is herein particularly set forth with reference t0 the accompanying drawin s and pointed out in the claims of this s eclfication, its main objectbeing to provi e separable mouthpieces for brass musical instruments, especially cornets, whereby one mouthpiece cup may be made .to serve in connection with each of a set of interchangeable tubular extensions of varying length and bore-taper upon which it is preferably adjustable, whereby injury to embouchure of a player of suoli an instrument may be prevented and the tone of the instrument made variable to obtain the best effects in either brass band or orchestra.

Figure 1 of the drawings represents a longitudinal central section view of a brass musical instrument mouthpiece cup and one of a set of the herein described interchangeable tubular extensions in connection with the cup-shank, said cu being shown provided with a detachab e ring that appears in cross-section; Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, slmilar views of cup extensions 1n the set aforesaid, and Fig. G, a transverse section view on the plane indicated by line 6&6 in Fig. 1.

Referring by numerals to the drawin s, 8 indicates a cup similar to those of mou'ipieces oomlnonly used as parts of eornets and other brass musical instruments, eXoe t that its shank is shortened and interior y screw-threaded to be run on the exteriorly screw-threaded and shouldered end of any one of a set of tubular interchangeable extensions each provided with a set-nut 9, in advance of the cup, and having the outer end of its bore flared to match the Hare of the interior of said cup.

The combined cup 8 and extension 10, in the adjustment shown in Fig. l1, constitutes a mouthpiece designed for a B-flat cornet played in brass band, particularly in the open air and for marching.

If the set-nut 9 on the screw-threaded end of any of the interchangeable tubular eXtensions 0f the cup 8.be moved outward from its normal position shown, the tone of the instrument upon which the mouthpiece is employed will be more elastic and said instrument better adapted for solo playing.

The tubular extension 12 shown by Fig. 2, is shorter than the one 10, and of -different taper of bore to combine with the cup 8 for playing on either B-iat or E-at cornet.

The tubular extension 13, shown by Fig. 3, is shorter and of different bore-taper than those aforesaid. This extension is combined with the cup 8, to provide a mouthpiece by which to impart a soft mellow tone to the instrument played upon, whereby the same is more suitable than otherwise for orchestral use.

The tubular extension 14 shown by Fig. 4, is of a length equal to the extension 13, but the taper of its bore is different, and being combined with the cup 8, a mouthpiece is provided by which to make it easy for a player of the instrument equipped with the same to play high notes. The tubular eXtension 14 combines with the cup 8 to constitute a mouthpiece suitable for a short winded player of the instrument to which it is connect-ed, and for better adaptation of said instrument for use in orchestra.

The extension 15, shown by Fig. 5, is longer than any of the others specified in the foregoing, and of different taper of bore. This extension combines with the cup 8 to provide a trumpet mouthpiece. The tubular extension 15 is an important one of the set herein specified, as it enables a cornet player to employ the same mouthpiece cup in changing from cornet to trumpet and back again Without risk of spoiling his embouchure.

The cup is to be variously adjusted on any of the various extensions aforesaid to suit a player of the instrument or instruments to which the mouthpiece as a Whole is applicable, and thus avoid injury to his lips that is liable to occur when changing from one to another mouthpiece of the ordinary kind, and by suitable changing of the cup with respect to the various extensions said player may relieve his lips should they become overblown.

The length and bore taper of thevarious interchangeable cup -extensions aforesaid are predetermined with respect to varying the tone of the instrument with which the mouthpiece as a whole is engaged, and at the same time to provide for regulation of lip-pressure required to play said instrument, the accomplishment of these results being aided by the adjustment of said cup on any of said extensions. Hence the instrumeht may be readily organized for a sharp powerful tone when played in brass band or for soft mellow tone when played in orchestra. To facilitate changing of the cup from one t-o another 0f the aforesaid extensions, each of these extensions is slabbed upon opposite sides back of its nutopposing shoulder to be engaged With a Wrench, this slabbing being Well shown in Fig. 6.

From the foregoing it will be readily understood that a combination of the cup 8, and the extension 10 forms the best mouthpiece for playing strong tones on a brass instrument, said extension being longer than the ones 12, 13 and 14. The longer the extension, the more force a player can exert by holding the mouthpiece tight to his lios, and the tongue-striking Will be more effective than is ordinarily the case, While with the shorter extensions, strong vibrant tones may be had by the player holding t-he mouthpiece loosely upon the lips, said tones being round and easy as is required for orchestra playing.

I claim:

1. A brass musica-l instrument mouthpiece cup, and a set of tubular extensions of varying length and bore-taper for interchangeable connection with the shank of said cup.

2. A brass musical instrument mouthpiece cup, and a set of tubular extensions of varying length and bore-taper having interchangeable adjustable connection With the shank of said cup.

3. A brass musical instrument mouthpiece cup having an interiorly screw-threaded shank, and a set of tubular extensions of varying length and taper-bore having screw-threaded ends by which to be interchangeably engaged With the cup-shank.

4. A brass musical instrument mouthpiece cup having an interiorly screw-threaded shank, a set of tubular extensions of varying length and taper bore having screwthread ends by which to be interchangeably engaged With the cup-shank, and a set-nut run on the screw-threaded end of each extension in advance of said cup.

5. A brass musical instrument mouthpiece cup having an interiorly screw-threaded shank, and a set of tubular extensions 0f varying length and taper bore having screwthreaded vends by which to be interchangeably engaged with the cup-shank, and Which are slabbed upon opposite sides for engagement With a Wrench.

PEARL STEIN METZ.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

